. But it is too late to repent now. By this time my
image must be wholly obliterated from her heart: she has seen me in the
crowd, and passed me coldly by; her cheek is pale, but not for me;
and in a little, little while, she will be another's, and lost to me
forever! Yet have I never forgotten her through change or time, the
hard and harsh projects of ambition, the labours of business, or the
engrossing schemes of political intrigue. Never! but this is a vain and
foolish subject of reflection now."

And not the less reflecting upon it for that sage and veracious
recollection, Clarence turned from the window, against which he had been
leaning, and drawing one of the four chairs to the solitary table, he
sat down, moody and disconsolate, and leaning his face upon his hands,
pursued the confused yet not disconnected thread of his meditations.

The door abruptly opened, and Mr. Merrylack appeared.

"Dear me, sir!" cried he, "a thousand pities you should have been put
here, sir! Pray step upstairs, sir; the front drawing-room is just
vacant, sir; what will you please to have for dinner, sir?" etc.,
according to the instructions of his wife. To Mr. Merrylack's
great dismay, Clarence, however, resolutely refused all attempts at
locomotion, and contenting himself with entrusting the dinner to
the discretion of the landlady, desired to be left alone till it was
prepared.

Now, when Mr. John Merrylack returned to the taproom, and communicated
the stubborn adherence to No. 4 manifested by its occupier, our good
hostess felt exceedingly discomposed. "You are so stupid, John," said
she: "I'll go and expostulate like with him;" and she was rising for
that purpose when Harrison, who was taking particularly good care of
himself, drew her back; "I know my master's temper better than you do,
ma'am," said he; "and when he is in the humour to be stubborn, the very
devil himself could not get him out of it. I dare say he wants to be
left to himself: he is very fond of being alone now and then; state
affairs, you know" (added the valet, mysteriously touching his
forehead), "and even I dare not disturb him for the world; so make
yourself easy, and I'll go to him when he has dined, and I supped. There
is time enough for No. 4 when we have taken care of number one. Miss,
your health!"

The landlady, reluctantly overruled in her design, reseated herself.

"Mr. Clarence Linden, M. P., did you say, sir?" said the learned
Jeremiah: "surely,